Apple Faces Controversy Over Expensive Price and Defects in iPhone 15
Consumers Increasingly Opting for the Previous Model, iPhone 14
Apple is in hot water as their newly released iPhone 15 is embroiled in defect controversies.
Issues with the iPhone 15 Pro, which features a titanium body, include discoloration, shorter battery life compared to its predecessor, overheating, screen burn-in where the screen retains images, and instances of the device shutting off.
The iPhone 15 features a titanium body / Apple
In light of these issues, some consumers planning to upgrade their smartphones are now showing interest in the iPhone 14.
The iPhone 14, with its lower price and proven performance stability, appears more attractive than the more expensive and defect-ridden iPhone 15.
The British daily newspaper, The Guardian, recently reported that the overheating and burn-in quality issues with the iPhone 15 series are becoming obstacles to initial sales, suggesting that the iPhone 14 could benefit.
In South Korea, the price of the iPhone 14 has dropped to 1.09 million KRW (approx. $930), a decrease of 160,000 KRW (approx. $136) from its initial launch price, following the release of the iPhone 15.
The three major telecom companies have also increased their public support funds for the iPhone 14 by up to 580,000 KRW (approx. $495), an increase of more than 150,000 KRW (approx. $128) compared to before.
A customer examines a product at the Apple Store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, on the official launch day of the iPhone 14 series. / Yonhap News
Some retailers are offering illegal subsidies of 400,000 to 500,000 KRW (approx. $340 to $425) for the iPhone 14, causing the prices of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models to drop by 100,000 KRW (approx. $85) and 50,000 KRW (approx. $42.5).
Customers who switch their numbers to KT or LG Uplus and purchase an iPhone 14 will receive between 50,000 to 100,000 KRW (approx. $42.5 to $85).
The situation is similar with SK Telecom. For these reasons, consumers interested in the standard iPhone 15 model are buying the iPhone 14 Pro model.
The standard model series of the iPhone 15. / Yonhap News
While interest in the iPhone 15 is high, the telecommunications industry says it’s not meeting expectations.
A customer examines a product at the Apple Store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, on the official launch day of the Apple iPhone 15 series and Apple Watch. / Yonhap News
There are also analyses suggesting that many consumers opt to use the less expensive iPhone 14 until the quality issues with the iPhone 15 are resolved, with plans to switch to the iPhone 15 later.
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